Jammu, Mar 11: The Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir has recorded the highest arrival of pilgrims in the past five years, with more than nine lakh pilgrims visiting the temple in first two moths of 2020.
The five year record of pilgrimage to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Cave Shrine broke in the first two months of 2020 as more than nine lakh pilgrims paid obeisance at the Bhawan situated in Trikuta Hills of Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir.
“In the first two months January and February, pilgrimage to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan broke five year record as more than nine lakh pilgrims visited the Shrine in this period,” Ramesh Kumar, Chief Executive Officer, SMVDSB, said on Wednesday.
He said that people have faith in the Shrine and every year, around 8 lakh devotees visit this place in the said period but this year, the yatra crossed this number.
The CEO said, “earlier the yatris used to be around 8 to 8.5 lakhs but from January 1 to February 29, this year, yatris were 9.09 lakhs and was 1.37 lakh more than previous five years, which is a record.”
The CEO however, said that heavy snowfall from December to February also attracted more pilgrims to the Bhawan and added, “in the first two months of the year 2020, the weather in Jammu and Kashmir invited more tourists and there was a record breaking snowfall in the Kashmir Valley as well as the temple complex of Mata Vaishno Devi.”
According to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, from January 1 to February 29 this year, more than 9 lakh pilgrims visited the cave shrine, which is a record.
Mr Kumar further said, “in the the months of January and February, the figure in the last five years remained between 8 to 8.5 lakhs but in the current year, figure crossed 9 lakh.”
The Shrine Board official also claimed that besides snowfall, the steps taken by the board for the amenities of the passengers, is an important merit for their visit.
Mr Kumar further said that natural cave is also thrown open for the pilgrims from the day of Makarsakranti and when the rush is low, it remains open especially during night hours.
Vaishno Devi footfall in first two months of 2020 is highest in 5 years
